March 17, 2004, 5th Sunday of Lent, Year B.

A reading from the book of Jeremiah.

The days are coming, says the Lord,

when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah.

It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers,

the day I took them by the hand, to lead

them forth from the land of Egypt, for they broke my covenant, and I had to show myself their

master, says the Lord.

But this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel after those days, says the

Lord.

I will place my law within them and write it upon their hearts.

I will be their God and they shall be my people.

No longer will they have need to teach their friends and relatives how to know the Lord.

All, from the least to greatest, shall know me, says the Lord.

For I will forgive their evil doing and remember their sin no more.

The Word of the Lord. Create a clean heart in me, O God. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Have mercy on me,

O God, in your goodness,

in the greatness of your compassion

wipe out my offense.

Thorly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me

create a clean heart in me oh O God.

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